A Black woman invented home security systems. Big Tech gave them racial bias
Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse who began the home security revolution that directly led to the current and somewhat troubled ecosystem.
5 ways a smart home can help you prepare for Valentine’s Day
Your smart home can help you prepare for the perfect Valentine's Day date by setting the mood, music, and more.
You might not think typing to Alexa is practical, but you’d be surprised
Type with Alexa allows you to command your smart assistant with text, not voice. It's still in early access, but already shows a lot of promise.
5 ways to make your smart home display more useful while working from home
A smart display can control your smart home, host Zoom meetings, and read your schedule. All combined, it can make your work from home experience better.
The true cost of connected cocktail and beer machines
Thinking about buying one of those fancy cocktail or beer machines to enjoy some of alcoholic beverages at home? There's more to them than just their cost.
Remote work isn’t the future. And that may be for the best
Don't let our current pandemic-driven remote work situation fool you: Working exclusively from home probably won't be the norm in the future.
Household electrical usage increased in 2020. Here’s how a smart home can help
Due to heatwaves, the pandemic, and wildfires across much of the country, energy usage increased nationwide for an increase of $1.21 billion in costs.
Your air purifier isn’t protecting you from this silent killer. It should be
Air purifiers help filter the air inside homes. While many do this, very few of them can actually detect an invisible gas that can be fatal.
5 smart home tech trends we saw at CES 2021
CES 2021 saw a number of emerging trends in the smart home industry, such as improved security and an increased focus on health-based technology.
The future of cooking: How a robotic chef is cooking up a crazy new kitchen
Today, our kitchens have things like ovens, fridges, stovetops, toasters, and microwaves. Tomorrow, they might just have built-in robotic sous chefs.
Digital Trends Top Tech of CES 2021 Awards
The first all-digital CES brought challenges, but also a world-changing slate of amazing gadgets and devices. We picked the best of the best.
Will robot vacuums make the leap into disinfecting at CES 2021?
Robot vacuums will no doubt be seen at CES 2021, but the biggest opportunity for them now is the ability to disinfect surfaces. Will we finally see it?
All eyes on improved privacy for indoor cameras as CES 2021 approaches
Security cameras have evolved with their technological advances, but one area that's continually neglected is privacy. Hopefully that all changes at CES 2021.
Our confinement spurred the smart home’s increased growth in 2020
Most people found themselves becoming much more acquainted with their homes in 2020 thanks to lockdowns. Here's how the cultural changes drove industry growth.
The biggest trends we saw in the smart home in 2020
There wasn't a single trend that defined the smart home in 2020, but several that showed its adaptability in a challenging year for all.
Do you really need a smart Christmas tree? Here’s how much it’ll cost you
A smart Christmas tree can streamline your decorating, but is it strictly necessary?
5 useful smart speaker features for virtual learning at home
Learning from home can be challenging, but here are some helpful tips that can turn your smart speakers into learning machines.
Five Google Assistant-powered smart display features worth checking out
Google Assistant smart displays like the Nest Hub recently got an updated, more intuitive user interface that makes the devices more functional than before.
Ditch the manual toothbrush, smart toothbrushes under $50 are better buys
A smart toothbrush can help you track how often you brush, improve your technique, and even reward you for good hygiene habits.
What are you really missing out on when buying a cheap, $20 security camera?
Security cameras are continually becoming cheaper to buy. But, what are you exactly gaining or missing when buying them over more expensive options?
More security cameras need color night vision. Here’s why.
Security cameras that have color night vision provide a clearer picture to users and give details that can help identify thieves to the police.
5 reasons to use Android 11’s quick access smart home controls
Android 11 is finally here and provides users with a new quick access menu for the smart home, so we break down the reasons why you should start using it more.
Leave the pros out of it, installing a bidet is easier than you think
A bidet toilet seat is a great addition to your bathroom. They are superior to toilet paper in many ways and very easy to install. We'll show you how.
Five reasons why HomeKit in iOS 14 is a small update with huge rewards
The recent release of iOS 14 brought with it changes to the layout and user interface of HomeKit that make it a stronger competitor.
Google September 2020 event: Everything announced
Google has announced its latest and greatest devices, including the new Pixel 5, and a new Chromecast. Here's everything Google unveiled at its annual event.
The Litter-Robot 3 Connect saves time, but makes me miss my cats’ poops
Cleaning the litter box is a chore, but the Litter-Robot 3 Connect takes that hassle away. It's an asset for the smart home, but makes me miss my cats' poops.
Robot vacuum scorecard: Which is the most efficient cleaner?
Robot vacuums were one of the first smart home appliances people bought. The tech has come a long way since then. These are our favorites.
It’s time to give Siri, Alexa, and other smart home devices a feminist reboot
Dr. Yolande Strengers and Dr. Jenny Kennedy talk about their new book, Smart Wife: Why Siri, Alexa, and Other Smart Home Devices Need a Feminist Reboot.
Smart toothbrushes are expensive. Quip’s model is proof why you don’t need them
As smart toothbrushes become more advanced, their prices tend to go up -- but the Quip Smart Brush has great smart features without the high price point.
Not all security cameras will watch over your home when the power goes out
Battery-powered security cameras that have local storage are ideal when your power goes out. But there aren't many out there.
Back to School Gift Guide 2020
Not sure what gift to get in 2020? Here are the best gifts for students right now, whether they are going back to class or learning online.
Upgrade to a smart home for under $100 with these 3 essentials
If you don't have a smart home yet, now's the time because it doesn't cost a lot. We'll guide you on how to build an essential smart home for less than $100.
Which video doorbells will protect your packages? We’ve ranked them all
Video doorbells are the easiest security upgrade you can add. Your front door is your center for activity, and a video doorbell is your best way to monitor it.
In a power outage, I’d take this Xiaomi fan over a phone. Yes, really
Move over smartphone, battery banks, and other gadgets, the Xiaomi SmartMi 2S is more of a godsend than all of them, especially when you're without electricity.